The most helpful favourable review

The most helpful critical review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 starsHard to put down
I came to cycling through the grand tours, but the classics races have always been fascinating, particularly the five known as The Monuments. This book was just what I needed to deepen my understanding of how they came to be, and of the riders who made history through them. Peter Cossins writes as if he were spending an evening with you, with captivating stories told in a...

This review is from: The Monuments: The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-day Races (Paperback)

I came to cycling through the grand tours, but the classics races have always been fascinating, particularly the five known as The Monuments. This book was just what I needed to deepen my understanding of how they came to be, and of the riders who made history through them. Peter Cossins writes as if he were spending an evening with you, with captivating stories told in a conversational tone. I loved this book, and now my wife is loving it as well. I bought a second copy for my son, and he and I have already enjoyed some lively discussions about how a particular hill was added to Flanders, or the era of unpaved roads in northern Italy, or the efforts to pave the cobbles in the Ardennes. I will be reading it again when the monuments races are back next year. A fun and enjoyable book.

This review is from: The Monuments: The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-day Races (Paperback)

I've been following these races since the 1960s. That means I've experienced 50 years of the history about which you so eloquently write. What a great writer Peter is: many people cannot turn their reportage into good book writing but Peter Cossins has no problem. If you love this sport, it's classic and historical events, then read this book. The description and potted history of each race is absorbing and fascinating. A truly great book.

This review is from: The Monuments: The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-day Races (Paperback)

This book has been a revelation, especially as I've been reading it through the Classics season. The author's conversational style pulls you in and there are any number of fabulous anecdotes. I've been particularly impressed by the chapters covering the Tour of Flanders, which gave me real understanding about why cycling plays such an important role in Flanders.

I bought this book not knowing too much about the Monuments and have really enjoyed the insight it's given me. I've been reading the section about each race in the days before it takes place and that's enabled me to get a lot more out of what's happening in the race, as well as providing a fascinating look at each race's history. I'm primed for Flanders and Roubaix!

This review is from: The Monuments: The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-day Races (Paperback)

Beautifully written book, covering every great moment of all 5 'Monument races'. Short on pictures, but then i feel the quality of this book more than compensates for this. If you are interested in Professional Cycling then you will absolutely love this book. Well done Peter Cossins.

This review is from: The Monuments: The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-day Races (Paperback)

Ignoring the editorial/authorial mistake about the number of riders who have won all 5 classics (3 not 2 as stated), this is a superb book, well researched and full of anecdote and a delight to read from the first page to the last page.

I wish I had been present for some of the epic battles described in the book.

This review is from: The Monuments: The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-day Races (Paperback)

Very quick delivery - delivered early in the afternoon the very next day. The book was well protected and arrived completely undamaged and in perfect condition.The book itself is an inspiring must-read for any avid cyclist. Well written and interestingly told in an easy tone. I would recommend this book to cyclists at any level and to non-cyclists who have an interest in the history of the sport.

This review is from: The Monuments: The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-day Races (Paperback)

An excellent potted history of each of cycling's Monuments. There's not much here that can't be found in other books on each of the Monuments, but Cossins manages to weave the stories together into an enjoyable book. There are around 70 pages on each of the Monuments, which is enough to get a good feel for each race without being buried in superfluous detail. Very good book.